Instructional strategies for enhancing student learning in academic contexts

¶ … Technology can be used to enhance learning

An oral presentation used to present information and teach individuals about a particular concept. Lecture is often used to convey critical information.

An investor presents his investment thesis and rational to an economics class. The investor, teaching the basics of Finance, provides the class with a copy of his lecture notes and slide

Video and websites provide visuals to better allow student to learn. Video conferencing can also be used to talk to multiple people in varying locations

Demonstration is the ability to show or prove the merits of a particular product, service, or idea. This allows students to better conceptualize material and its application

An investor presents his methodology to a finance class. He uses a sample annual report and step-by-step shows the class how he arrives at an investment decision. He provides an example of a bad company and a good company

The internet can be used in this particular instance. Yahoo Finance, or conference call can help students better visualize.

Learning Groups

A learning group is a collection of students learning a particular subject or concept together. A facilitator is usually involved and moderates group though processes. Learning groups allow students to draw on the experiences and knowledge of others to arrive at more informed conclusions

In an English class, a teacher asks groups to discuss the merits of gender within a particular book. The teacher divides the class up into groups of three and provides a particular aspect of gender inequality that will be discuses

Groups can use various YouTube to watch various arguments pertaining to the assignment. The teacher could also require the students to draw a particular concept on an app or tablet as oppose to talking.

Guest Speaker

An experience expert with relevant knowledge in a particular field. The guest speaker provides a unique perspective and is not normally involved in the daily activities of the class. The purpose of the guest speaker is to provide an alternative approach or opinion regarding a subject

During an English class, the teacher invites a published author who has over 5 years experience in the industry. The author arrives and explains her writing style and where she draws her inspiration from Technology such as eBooks can allow student to create and publish their own content cheaply and more efficiently. Online flashcards and quizzes can allow student to hone their English skills while not in the classroom. If the student is unable to make the class, video conferencing is available so the student can still reap the rewards of the professional writer

Role Play

Role-play allows students to assume a role that is often uncharacteristic for the individual. In this instance, the student changes behavior to assume a role.

During an English class, the teacher asks each student to play the role of a particular character. Together as a group, the student act their favorite scene within the novel. After the scene, students are asked to express how they believe the characters emotional state was within the novel.

Role-plays can be recorded and achieved for review at a later date. Contests involving the best scene or performance can be established. A blog posting of all the video submissions can be placed online with the votes tallied through online comments.

Games

Games are usually a structured form of enjoyment. They usually involve art or other forms of aesthetics. Games provide an alternative education tool that is enjoyable for students while also being challenging

A math teacher uses math problems on a bingo board. The person who answers the math problems correct, while also achieving a "Bingo" wins a prize

The Bingo boards can be created digitally through Photoshop. An app can be created to use by students away from the classroom

Field Trips

A Field trip is a journey by a group of people to a place away from their normal environment. Students usually enjoy observation or a particular subject.

A math teacher takes her students to the NASA building to see how their mathematicians work

Student can drive to the NASA building in hybrid cars. They can use gps to travel and locate one another while on the field trip. Photos can be taken on a smart phone and uploaded to social media

Simulation

Simulation is the imitation of a real world process or activity. Simulation allows students to experience similar circumstances or behaviors of the subject of choice

A physics teacher simulates the law of gravity with an egg and a bowling ball

The simulation can be recorded and placed on YouTube.

Self-Evaluation

I would give the group a B. In regards to what the group has accomplished. Instruction and delivery is very important within a classroom setting. As a high school teaching and English major, I find it important to incorporate many strategies throughout a typical lesson. The group shares my ambition for a multi-faceted approached towards learning. In fact the group used many new and innovative techniques throughout the exercise that I previously thought would be ineffective. For example, many of the strategies can be combined to form a new more innovative approach towards learning. Lecture, although a common form of instruction is enhance when combined with role-playing and games. The group accomplished a lot in regards to our own personal development as well. Some within the group recognized the extent of their creativity and how that can be applied to the group as a whole. Synergy really is possible through a collective and concerted group effort. What we accomplished was great learning and personal development experience. Through what we actually accomplished, not merely what on our effort, I believe the group deserves a B.